Serving as an executor—called a personal representative under Alberta’s Estate Administration Act—is an honour, but also a job that can last a year or more. Before you say “yes,” make sure you understand the executor responsibilities Alberta law imposes and what help is available.

Alberta does not have a precise statutory formula for calculating executor fees. Instead, guidance is found within the Surrogate Rules and case law interpreting what constitutes fair compensation. Factors typically include: the size and complexity of the estate, the skill and efficiency demonstrated by the executor, and the actual time spent administering the estate. While there is no set percentage, courts often use 3-5% of the estate’s gross value as a general benchmark.